“One isn’t necessarily born with courage, but one is born with potential. Without courage, we cannot practice any other virtue with consistency. We can’t be kind, true, merciful, generous, or honest.” -Maya Angelou
When I came across this quote I immediately remembered one of our change-drivers. She fought tooth and nail to be where she is today. No matter how difficult her journey to where she is right now was, she persevered. I’m sure we all remember Boitumelo Katisi (click on her name to read her story)- the young female South African pilot.
She is not just an inspiration to me, but to millions out there that come across her. I have always wanted to know her secret to the energy and spirit she has, that also earns her various awards.
She decided to share with me a piece from her diary she titled, NOTE TO SELF. With her permission, of course, I decided to share the piece with everyone. To keep the emotion and rawness of the diary piece, I decided not to correct any spelling or grammatical errors to make it relatable.
“NOTE TO SELF
Tumi 2Bars. The name i came up with for myself. Of course mostly influenced by those bars on my shoulders which were a mission to obtain and most importantly what made me realize how hard yet interesting and special life is.
See, flying is not something i grew up knowing i was going to do, but I highly favour the day i made the decision that im going go be a pilot. There is no better career path i could of chosen now that i think of it, there is nothing like being in control of your plane and just seeing the world from a birds eye view, ive had several of my mates and family members that i flew tell me how out of this world the view is from those flight levels ,so i learnt to appreciate the beauty of each flight i do as its not everyone who gets to see what us Pilots see.
Besides the beauty of it all, aviation itself is alot to take in but all is possible. I find it very important that one has to be really sure and passionate about this industry before making the decision to join in, alot happens at once and so much time is required from you and alot of self discipline but in the long run, its all worth it.
So yes, whatever career one decides upon i trust and hope it’s something they are passionate about and something they really want to spend the rest of their life doing. For me, being in the cockpit and flying that huge plane with hundreds of passengers, and getting them safely and in time to their desired destination is certainly what i want to spend my life doing, with many other dreams too which i want to conquer.
The beauty of having dreams and aspirations, thats my drive in life, not only focused on myself i also want to grow and be able to change the lives of others just as much as mine has been changed by others in a positive manner. The trick to life is, if you looking onto changing your life you need to change your priorities.
Its ok to live a life others don’t understand. Yes sometimes what we want to achieve in life seems impossible but remember that the temptation to quit will be greatest just before you are about to succeed, so next time you think of letting go of your dream think twice and remember to keep on keeping on.
Sometimes life is going to knock you down, and thats ok. Just don’t let it keep you down. Believe in yourself so strongly that the world cant help but believe in you too.
Dont wait for the world to recognize your greatness, live it and let the world catch up to you!”
No matter how rough it gets, keep on keeping on! If you haven’t learnt anything from that diary piece, then it’s over for you my friend!
Ramadimetja “Rami” Makgeru
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